Ohio House bill would legalize cannabis

Jun. 5—State Reps. Jamie Callender, R-Concord Township, and Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, recently introduced House Bill 168, which allows the cultivation, purchase and possession of cannabis by Ohioans over the age of 21.

The bill further allows for the expungement of conviction records for previous cultivation and possession offenses, officials confirmed in a news release.

Moreover, HB 168 would implement a 10 percent sales tax on adult-use cannabis products.

Tax revenue would be distributed, in part, to support primary and secondary education, communities that host dispensaries, combatting chemical dependence and illegal drug trafficking, in addition to the Ohio General Revenue Fund.

"Through the expansion of Ohio's successful Medical Marijuana Program to all Ohioans, we will not only be building upon best practices from around the country but utilizing the lessons learned here in Ohio," Callender stated in the release.

"With the nation increasingly heading towards the de-scheduling (removal from the Controlled Substances Act) of cannabis products at the federal level, Ohio has an opportunity to get ahead of the curve in developing its cannabis industry."

Weinstein echoed his colleague.

"It's time (for Ohio) to act on this before we fall too much further behind our neighbors," he added. "Adult use is good for our economy, good for our justice system, and the right thing to do. Ohioans are ready to legalize cannabis, and I am proud to offer this bipartisan bill to get it done."

House Bill 168 continues the work begun with House Bill 498 sponsored by Callender and Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, and House Bill 382 sponsored by Weinstein and Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, during the 134th General Assembly.

Under HB 168, Ohio's Medical Marijuana Control Program would be extended to also regulate the non-medical cultivation, processing, sale and adult use of cannabis products, the release stated.

The program would be renamed the "Division of Marijuana Control" to reflect its role in running both the medical marijuana and adult-use programs and be housed within the Ohio Department of Commerce.

As of spring, 22 states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult recreational marijuana, while 38 states allow for medical use of cannabis.

Action is also being taken at the federal level to de-schedule cannabis.

The bill now awaits a committee assignment and sponsor testimony.